Disposable corn cob holder

ABSTRACT

A disposable corn cob holder that remains an intact-holder ( 10 ) and benign until ready to use by separating half ( 14 ) and half ( 14 A) and twisting handle ( 22 ) and handle ( 22 A) back and forth until separated along grooved-diagonal ( 12 ). Once separated into half ( 14 ) and half ( 14 A) the sharp-point ( 16 ) is penetrated into either end of the corn cob up to the point of maximum-depth ( 20 ) leaving handle ( 22 ) and handle ( 22 ) exposed for holding the corn cob while eating. Once the corn cob has been consumed the corn cob holder can be disposed of with the spent corn cob.

BACKGROUND

[0001] 1. Field of Invention

[0002] This invention relates to the consumption of corn on the cob, specifically a disposable corn cob holder for eating of corn on the cob.

[0003] 2. Description of Prior Art

[0004] In many applications there is a preference to hold a corn cob with a utensil rather then one's fingers. In most cases the consumer eats corn on the cob with his fingers leading to a messy and unhealthy eating environment.

[0005] Heretofore, many different arrangements were used to hold corn cob with a utensil rather then eaten with the fingers. The following is a discussion of these arrangements and their drawbacks:

[0006] There are basically two types of corn on the cob holders. One is used for stabbing the pith or core of the corn cob holding it firmly in place to be eaten. The other screws into the core or pith of the item holding it firmly in place to be eaten. Both types are costly to produce, dangerous to handle prior to use, always requires to be in pairs, and made for re-use. The following is a discussion of these arrangements and their drawbacks;

[0007] An example of the first type used in stabbing with a single point to penetrate the core or pith is U.S. Pat. No. 05,566,997 to Lin (Oct. 22, 1996). This is an effective means for holding a cob of corn to be eaten. However, this is quite a dangerous implement to store and handle until safely inside the cob of corn. This is designed for reuse, quite expensive to produce and require a pair to be of any use.

[0008] Another example of the first type used in stabbing the pith or core with mulitple points to penetrate the core or pith is U.S. Pat. No. 0,306,114 to Moll (Feb. 20, 1990). This to is an effective means for holding a cob of corn to be eaten and it to is quite a dangerous implement to store and handle until safely inside the cob of corn. Again is designed for reuse, quite expensive to produce, and require a pair to be of any use.

[0009] An example of the second or screw in type of holder is U.S. Pat. No. 0,274,207 to Lenaghan (Jun. 12, 1984). This is made in one piece and uses a tapered screw with a handle. The point of the screw is placed against the pith or core; the handle is the turned screwing the holder into the cob of corn until it reaches a stopping point. This like the first type is designed for reuse, require a pair to work properly, and it to is a dangerous implement to store and handle until safly inside the cob of corn.

[0010] Another example of the second type is U.S. Pat. No. 3,794,368 to Majeske (Feb. 26, 1974). This is made in two pieces and uses a tapered screw with a separate handle. Like the previous example the point of the screw is placed against the pith or core, the handle is then turned screwing the holder into the cob of corn until it reaches the handle. This like the first type is designed for reuse, requires a pair to work properly, it to is a dangerous implement to store and handle until safely inside the cob of corn.

SUMMARY INCLUDING OBJECTS AND ADVANTAGES

[0011] In accordance with the present invention is a one piece disposable corn cob holder comprises a flat body having a diaginal groove to such a depth to allow the two halves to be separated easily along the diagonal groove.

SUMMARY

[0012] The invention relates to a corn cob holder and method of using the corn cob holder. In particular, the invention concerns any material durable enough, such as wood, plastic, or metal, inexpensive, easily manufactured corn cob holder made in a single unit with a diaginal groove for ease of speration by twisting the two handle ends back and forth. Once separated along the diagonal groove this separation results in an edge, sharp point, and a handle. At the opposite end is the point is the handle used initially for inserting the sharp point into the pith of the corn cob to the point of maximum depth and then used for holding the corn cob.

[0013] The corn cob holder comprises a handle which is adapted to be grasped by a user and which handle typically comprises a thin flat handle. The corn cob holder also includes an elongated, pointed penetrating element, typically a thin flat edged blade, curved edge or a saw-tooth edge adapted to penetrate the soft, inner pith of the corn cob to be held.

[0014] The corn cob holder also includes between the handle and the penetrating element a point of maximum depth of penetration. This is the point where the corn cob hold's penetrating point and edge end and the handle begins. From the point of maximum depth to the end of the handle is the widest point of the corn cob holder and prevents the corn cob from rotating on the handle.

[0015] The other embodiments show other diagonal grooves configurations of the corn cob holder, one is a saw-tooth groove, curved groove, and then a double diagonal groove again the straight groove, saw-tooth groove and the curved groove.

[0016] The corn cob holder of the invention may be made of a variety of materials, such as of metal, wood, or plastic. Typically and preferably due to the cost and ease of manufacturing and biodegradability may comprise wholly of wood, with a diagonal groove either cut, pressed or molded into the material. Once separated into two equal halves along the diagonal groove there is flat handle, a flat point of maximum depth and a flat pointed penetrating section.

[0017] After separation the invention is adapted to be employed by grasping the handle, placing the penetrating point against the pith or core of the corn cob, and pushing the penetrating point into the butt and tip ends of a corn cob into the inner pith or core and by further pushing to the maximum depth into the inner surface of the woody ring of lignified conducting tissue surrounding the inner pith of the corn cob, so as to engage securely the corn cob holders at each end of the corn cob whereby the user may then grasp the flat handle sections for use in eating the corn kernels. While the corn cob holder is being described in particularly in connection with a corn cob, it is recognized that such a holder may also have utility in connection with holding other food products, such as vegetables or fruits, wherein it is desired to hold the product with a handle and wherein the product has a soft center so that the holder may be firmly engaged.

[0018] Thus, the corn cob holder of the invention provides for a penetrating element to penetrate the inner pith core, and further to secured contact with the woody rim from the inside as the penetrating element is pushed deeper into the inner pith moving up the edge to the point of maximum depth to prevent rotation of the corn cob on the holder.

[0019] The corn cob holder, once in place, prevents rotation of the corn cob on its axis while in use. Further, because of the construction the invention it will function with any size ear of corn or other consumables.

[0020] The basic design is single intact unit, made of wood, plastic or metal. Once separated along the diagonal groove a penetrating point, an edge, and flat handle which make possible easy fabrication in volume production wherein a throw away biodegradable corn cob model becomes possible.

[0021] The invention will be described for the purposes of illustration only in connection with certain embodiments; however, it is recognized that various changes, modifications, additions and improvements to the illustrated embodiments may be made by those persons skilled in art all falling within the spirit of the invention.

OBJECTS AND ADVANTAGES

[0022] Accordingly, several objects and advantages of the invention are:

[0023] (a) to provide a disposable corn cob holder that is economical, reliable, easy to fabricate, highly durable, biodegradable, and designed to be used by anyone.

[0024] (b) this corn cob holder can be made from any material, such as wood, metal or plastic, which is rigid enough to support the weight of the cob, wide enough to prevent the corn of cob from rotating on the holder, and provides a point durable enough of piercing the pith of the corn cob.

[0025] (c) because of the single unit construction, until time of use, the invention is benign, safe to ship, and safe to handle until time of usage.

[0026] Further objects and advantages will become apparent from a consideration of the ensuing description and accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0027]FIG. 1A-1C shows various perspective views of the top disposable corn cob holder intact with a single diagonal groove.

[0028]FIG. 2A-2C is a bottom view of the intact corn cob holder of FIGS. 1A-1C, note the single groove are not cut thought the material.

[0029]FIG. 3A-3C shows the two equal halves of the corn cob holder after separation along 12 in FIG. 1A-1C.

[0030]FIG. 4A-4C shows various perspective views of the corn cob holder with two intersecting diagonal grooves.

[0031]FIG. 5A-5C is a bottom view of the intact corn cob holder from FIGS. 4A-4C, note the two intersecting diagonal grooves are not cut through the material.

[0032]FIG. 6A-6B shows the two equal halves of the corn cob holder after separation along 12 and 12A in FIGS. 4A-4C.

[0033]FIG. 7 shows a side view with a “V” groove 27

[0034]FIG. 8 shows a side view with a square groove 28

REFERENCE NUMERALS

[0035]10 intact-holder

[0036]12 grooved-diagonal

[0037]12A grooved-diagonal

[0038]14 half

[0039]14A half

[0040]16 sharp-point

[0041]18 edge

[0042]18A edge

[0043]20 point of maximum-depth

[0044]22 handle

[0045]22A handle

[0046]24 midpoint

[0047]26 saw-tooth-edge

[0048]26A saw-tooth-edge

[0049]28 curved-edge

[0050]28A curved-edge

[0051]30 “V” shaped groove

[0052]32 squared shaped groove

[0053]34 saw-tooth grooved-diagonal

[0054]34A saw-tooth grooved-diagonal

[0055]36 curved grooved-diagonal

[0056]36A curved grooved-diagonal

PREFERRED EMBODIMENT DESCRIPTION

[0057]FIG. 1A shows a plan view of the corn cob intact-holder 10 with the grooved-diagonal 12 not completely cut through the material of the corn cob holder.

[0058]FIG. 2A shows a plan view of the bottom of the corn cob intact-holder 10 with a view of the end of the grooved-diagonal 12, note grooved-diagonal 12 is not cut trough the material of the corn cob holder.

[0059]FIG. 3A shows a plan view of the two separated halves of the corn cob holder half 14 and half 14A. The two halves were separated along the diagonal grooved-diagonal 12 (as seen in FIG. 1A) by twisting handle 22 and handle 22A back and forth separating along grooved-diagonal 12. Once these two halves are separated the two halves will have a sharp-point 16 used for penetrating the pith of the corn cob sliding along edge 18 to the depth of point of maximum-depth 20 and the remaining exposed of half 14 and half 14A of the holder will be the handle 22 and handle 22A or from the point of maximum-depth 20 to the opposite end of sharp-point 16.

[0060]FIG. 7 show the groove with a “V” shaped groove 30, this will allow for ease of separation and will yield a sharper edge for penetrating the pith of the corn cob.

[0061]FIG. 8 show the groove with a squared shaped groove 32, this will allow for ease of separation and will yield a sharper edge for penetrating the pith of the corn cob.

[0062] In accordance with the invention, the corn cob hold is intact-holder 10 with a grooved-diagonal 12 in FIG. 1A. The grooved-diagonal 12 is at an angle from 90 degrees to 180 degrees to either long edge of the intact-holder 10 corn cob holder bisecting the center-point of the intact corn cob. As shown if FIG. 2A the grooved-diagonal 12 is not cut though the material.

[0063] The depth of the grooved-diagonal 12 in the intact-holder 10 will be to the depth from 50.0% to 99.9% of the thickness of the material used.

[0064] The width of the squared shaped groove 32 is from {fraction (1/164)}″ to ½″.

[0065] The angle of the “V” shaped groove 30 will be from 90 degrees to 180 degrees.

[0066] The width of the intact-holder 10 will be of sufficient width to keep the corn on the cob from rotating once penetrated by sharp-point 16 to the point of maximum-depth 20.

[0067] The length of the intact-holder 10 will be sufficient to yield an effective handle 22 and handle 22A for the consumer to grasp while separating into two equal halves, along grooved-diagonal 12 with a “V” shaped groove 30 or squared shaped groove 32. Handle 22 and handle 22A will be sufficient size to hold while plunging the sharp-point 16 into the pith of the either end of the corn cob. Once the sharp-point 16 has been plunged into either end of the corn cob a sufficient handle, handle 22 and handle 22A will remain to hold the cob of corn while eating the kernals and with minimal contact with the consumer's hands.

[0068] The material used will need to be sufficiently rigid to hold intact-holder 10 together with the grooved-diagonal 12 for shippment and prior to use. Once the intact-holder 10 is separated into two equal halves, half 14 and half 14A the sharp-point 16 is required to be rigid enough to penetrate the pith of the corn cob. Additionally, the material needs to be strong enough to support the weight of a corn cob when held by handle 22 and handle 22A while the cunsomer eats the kernals.

PREFERRED EMBODIMENT—OPERATION

[0069] Operation and use of the corn cob holder arrangement of the invention is simple and straightforward. The intact-holder 10 with the diagonal grooved-diagonal 12 is how the consumer would receive it, as show in FIG. 1A. The consumer would grasp handle 22 and handle 22A, and with a back and forth twisting motion would separate into two equal halves, half 14 and half 14A along grooved-diagonal 12. Holding half 14 and half 14A by handle 22 and handle 22A aligning sharp-point 16 to the center of the corn cob at either end of the corb cob. Then penetrating the pith with sharp-point 16 sliding along edge 18 to the point of maximum-depth 20. Once the corn cob has been securely penetrated the consumer will hold the handle while the corn kernals are eaten off the corn cob. After the kernals of the corn cob has been consumed the corn cob holder will be left in the corn cob and disposed of with the spent corn cob, although the corn cob holder could be reused.

OTHER EMBODIMENTS

[0070] Saw-tooth Diagonal groove—Description

[0071] This is an intact-holder 10 with a saw-tooth grooved-diagonal 34, in FIG. 1B., with either a “V” shaped groove 30 or a squared shaped groove 32. As seen in FIG. 2B the saw-tooth grooved-diagonal 34 is not cut through the material. Once separated along saw-tooth-edge 26, and FIG. 3B. Then separation and usage is the same as the main embodiment.

[0072] Saw-tooth Diagonal groove—Operation

[0073] Then, as with the Preferred Embodiment the consumer would seperate intact-holder 10 by grasping handle 22 and handle 22A, twisting back and forth seperating into half 14 and half 14A. Then grasping handle 22 and handle 22A placing the sharp-point 16 of each handle against either end of the corn cob the sharp-point 16 is penetrated into the pith of the corn cob sliding along saw-tooth-edge 26 to the point of maximum-depth 20. Once the handles are firmly inside the corn cob pith the consumer holds handle 22 and handle 22A and eats the kernals from the corn cob.

[0074] Curved diagonal groove—Description

[0075] This operates identical to the invention where the intact-holder 10 has a curved grooved-diagonal 36 with either a “V” shaped groove 30 or squared shaped groove 32 and a curved grooved-diagonal 36 as in FIG. 1C. As seen in FIG. 2C the curved grooved-diagonal 36 is not cut through the material. Once separated this yields, half 14 and half 14A, 2 halves each with a curved-edge 28, sharp-point 16, point of maximum-depth 20, and handle 22A and handle 22B.

[0076] Curved diagonal groove—Operation

[0077] Then, as with the Preferred Embodiment the consumer would seperate intact-holder 10 by grasping handle 22 and handle 22A, twisting back and forth seperating into half 14 and half 14A. Then grasping handle 22 and handle 22A placing the sharp-point 16 of each handle against either end of the corn cob the sharp-point 16 is penetrated into the pith of the corn cob sliding along curved-edge 28 to the point of maximum-depth 20. Once the handles are firmly inside the corn cob pith the consumer holds handle 22 and handle 22A and eats the kernals from the corn cob.

[0078] A double diagonal groove—Description

[0079] Additional embodiments are show in FIG. 4A, the grooved-diagonal 12 and grooved-diagonal 12A intersect at the midpoint 24. This groove can be either “V” shaped groove 30 or squared shaped groove 32. As shown FIG. 5A, the groove is not cut thought the material. This yields half 14 and half 14B, each half with edge 18 and edge 18A, sharp-point 16, point of maximum-depth 20, and handle 22 and handle 22A as shown in FIG. 6A.

[0080] A double diagonal groove—Operation

[0081] Then, as with the Preferred Embodiment the consumer would seperate intact-holder 10 by grasping handle 22 and handle 22A, twisting back and forth seperating into half 14 and half 14A. Then grasping handle 22 and handle 22A placing the sharp-point 16 of each handle against either end of the corn cob. The sharp-point 16 is penetrated into the pith of the corn cob sliding along edge 18 and edge 18A to the point of maximum-depth 20. Once the handles are firmly inside the corn cob pith the consumer holds handle 22 and handle 22A and eats the kernals from the corn cob.

[0082] Double diaginal saw-tooth Groove—Description

[0083] Additional embodiments are show in FIG. 4B, saw-tooth grooved-diagnal 34 and saw-tooth grooved-diagnal 34A intersecting at midpoint 24, note in FIG. 5B the grooves are not cut though the material. The groove can be either a “V” shaped groove 30 in FIG. 7 or squared shaped groove 32 in FIG. 8. This yeilds half 14 and half 14B, handle 22 and handle 22A, with saw-tooth-edge 26 and saw-tooth-edge 26A, point of maximum-depth 20 and sharp-point 16 as shown in FIG. 6B.

[0084] Double diaginal saw-tooth Groove—Operation

[0085] The operation is the same as in the main embodiement where the consumer grasps half 14 and half 14B and twisting back and forth seperating along saw-tooth grooved-diagnal 34 and saw-tooth grooved-diagnal 34A. Resulting in half 14 and half 14B, with sharp-point 16, and handle 22A and handle 22B. Then, as with the Preferred Embodiment the consumer would seperate intact-holder 10 by grasping handle 22 and handle 22A, twisting back and forth seperating into half 14 and half 14A. Then grasping handle 22 and handle 22A placing the sharp-point 16 of each handle against either end of the corn cob the sharp-point 16 is penetrated into the pith of the corn cob sliding along saw-tooth-edge 26 and saw-tooth-edge 26A to the point of maximum-depth 20. Once the handles are firmly inside the corn cob pith the consumer holds handle 22 and handle 22A and eats the kernals from the corn cob.

[0086] Curved Double diagonal groove—Description

[0087] Additional embodiments are show in FIG. 4C, the curved grooved-diagonal 36 and curved grooved-diagonal 36A intersect at the midpoint 24. As shown FIG. 5C, the grooves are not cut thought the material. This yields handle 22 and handle 22A with curved-edge 28 and curved-edge 28A, handle 22 and handle 22A, point of maximum-depth 20 and sharp-point 16 as shown in FIG. 6C.

[0088] Curved Double diagonal groove—Operation

[0089] As operation is the same as the Preferred Embodiment where the half 14A and half 14B are twisted back and for until separated along curved grooved-diagonal 36 and curved grooved-diagonal 36A, yielding half 14 and half 14B, handle 22A and handle 22B, point of maximum-depth 20, and sharp-point 16. Then, as with the Preferred Embodiment the consumer would seperate intact-holder 10 by grasping handle 22 and handle 22A, twisting back and forth seperating into half 14 and half 14A. Then grasping handle 22 and handle 22A placing the sharp-point 16 of each handle against either end of the corn cob the sharp-point 16 is penetrated into the pith of the corn cob sliding along curved-edge 28 and curved-edge 28A to the point of maximum-depth 20. Once the handles are firmly inside the corn cob pith the consumer holds handle 22 and handle 22A and eats the kernals from the corn cob.Conclusion, Ramification, and Scope

[0090] Accordingly, the reader will see that the disposable corn cob holder can be used to hold corn on the cob easily, safely, heathy, and conveniently, because of the low cost it can be left in the cob and disposed of with the corn cob once the kernals have been eaten, although it could be reused. Furthermore, the corn cob holder has the additional advantages in that:

[0091] it provides a benign form until separated allowing for safe shipment, packaging, and handling prior to usage.

[0092] it permits the corn cob holder to be made out of any material that is rigid enough to support the weight of a corn cob, once separated into two halves the resulting sharp point is rigid enough to penetrate the corn cob.

[0093] it provides a simple design and function that anyone with reasonable understanding and awareness will be able to use.

[0094] once consumed the corn cob holders can be left in the spent corn cob and disposed of, if manufactured out of a wood material it would be biodegradable.

[0095] it eliminates the problem of locating two seperate corn cob holders when there is a desire to use a holder in the consumption of corn on the cob. Because this invention is designed to have both halves of the holder together until time of usage. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A disposable corn cob holder comprising a flat body elongated single piece of rigid material diagonally bisected by a groove, for use with and to retain in a secure, in a non-rotateable position, an ear of corn having a one and an other end and having outer kernels and a soft inner pith surrounded by a woody ring of lignified tissue, which corn holder comprises.
 2. The holder in claim 1 wherein said is of sufficient depth and does not completely separate said body of claim
 1. 3. The holder in claim 1 wherein said body is separated along said groove of claim 2 into two equal halves by twisting a one and an other end back and forth.
 4. Said two equally halves of claim 3, each half comprising of at one end a point, an edge, a point of maximum depth and from the point of maximum depth to the other end a handle.
 5. Said groove of claim 1 has a “V” shaped groove resulting in edge of claim
 4. 6. Said groove of claim 1 has a squared shaped groove resulting in edge of claim
 4. 7. Said edge of claim 4 has a straight edge.
 8. Said edge of claim 4 has a curved edge.
 9. Said edge of claim 4 has a saw-toothed edge.
 10. The holder in claim 1 wherein has intersecting diagonal grooves.
 11. The said intersecting diagonal grooves of claim 10 of sufficient depth and does not completely separate said body of claim
 1. 12. The said grooves in claim 10 as to allow for the consumer to separate said body of claim 1 into two equal halves by twisting a one and an other end back and forth.
 13. Said two equally separated halves of claim 12, each half comprising of at one end a point, edges, a point of maximum depth and from the point of maximum depth to the other end a handle.
 14. Said grooves of claim 10 has a “V” shaped groove resulting in edges of claim
 13. 15. Said groove of claim 10 has a squared shaped groove resulting in edges of claim
 13. 16. Said edge of claim 13 has a straight edges.
 17. Said edge of claim 13 has a curved edges.
 18. Said edge of claim 13 has a saw-toothed edges.
 19. The elongated single piece of rigid material of claim 1 will be of sufficient length and width to yield a handle in claims 4 and claim 13 sufficiently rigid to support said corn cob of claim 1 and point in claim 4 and claim 13 claim to penetrated corn cob of claim 1 